A mother-of-five who won £1million on a National Lottery draw has revealed she still hunts for bargains – despite her newfound wealth.
Ceri Roberts, who won the mega sum on the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker in November 2023, refuses to abandon her thrifty shopping habits.
“I still don’t go shopping to one place if I know it’s cheaper somewhere else. I don’t think that will ever change,” she said.
The former nurse, who now runs a guest house in Llanberis, Gwynedd, says the win means her family no longer worries about monthly bills and direct debits.
The moment she discovered her win was particularly emotional, as she and husband Paul rang the claims line while watching their child’s football match.
“Nobody had scored a goal but our car was shaking,” she told the BBC.
“The kids were in the back wailing – and me and my husband were crying in the front.”
The reality of becoming a millionaire took time to sink in, with Roberts describing having the money in the bank as a “surreal” experience.
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But she couldn’t bring herself to spend any of the winnings for six weeks.
Her first purchase was practical – a car, as she had previously been borrowing one.
The lottery win enabled Roberts to purchase her “dream home” in Llanberis, which she transformed into a guest house.
She quit her position as manager of a domiciliary care company, allowing her more time with her family.
The newfound freedom has allowed the family to create lasting memories together, including a February trip to Marrakesh, Morocco.
During their Moroccan adventure, the family went quad-biking in the desert, embracing the type of experiences Roberts values most.
“To be able to give them memories is far more important than buying them big, extravagant gifts,” she explained.
Despite her millionaire status, Roberts maintains a grounded approach to spending, particularly when it comes to her children.
She has kept Christmas and birthday celebrations at their usual level, refusing to spoil her children with excessive gifts.
She is also one of 408 people in Wales who have won £1m or more on the National Lottery since its 1994 launch – while almost 2,300 people have scooped more than £50,000 in cash prizes.